Estrogen-like Properties of Quercetin Protect Rat Hippocampal Neurons by Estrogen Receptor Alpha

Background: Early change of cells in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) occurs in hippocampal region. Investigation of hippocampal neuronal cells were provide useful information about this disease. Quercetin is a phytoestrogen, which has similar biological activity as estrogen. Since the mechanism of quercetin in prevention of AD development is still unknown, there is a need to investigate whether, quercetin can regulate hippocampal neuronal cells. Methodology and Results: Rat hippocampal neurons were isolated from one day old Sprague Dawley rats and treated with estrogen, quercetin and estrogen receptor antagonists. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, neurite outgrowth was measured by fluorescent microsope and estrogen receptors were determine by Western blot. Quercetin functions like estrogen to increase hippocampal neuronal cell viability. It can also increase neurite outgrowth. Moreover, the effect of quercetin on hippocampal neuronal cells was mediated by estrogen receptor alpha instead of estrogen receptor beta. Furthermore, quercetin increased estrogen receptor alpha expression, but did not affect estrogen receptor beta expression. Conclusion: In conclusion, quercetin like estrogen can enhance hippocampal neuronal cell viability and promote neuritogenesis through estrogen receptor alpha.